Mali has secured $11 million in new funding to tackle urgent humanitarian needs in the northern and central regions, which are grappling with a severe food and nutrition crisis affecting 1.3 million people and a surge of refugees from the central Sahel.
The influx of funds will allow aid organizations to better prioritize their responses in these hard-hit areas. The allocation draws attention to the pressing shortage of resources required to meet the growing challenges faced by communities impacted by ongoing conflict and climate change in Mali and the Sahel region. The Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, M. Maleye Diop, emphasized the significance of this support, noting that it arrives at a critical time for humanitarian teams in Mali, who are often forced to make difficult decisions due to limited resources, sometimes scaling back aid to the most vulnerable and remote populations.
By August 2024, only 26% of the $701.6 million required for the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan had been raised. At the same time, the Government of Mali declared a national disaster due to floods that have claimed 30 lives and affected 47,374 people since the rainy season began. Moreover, just 600,000 of the 4.1 million people in need of humanitarian aid in 2024 have received assistance, largely due to a shortage of funds.
The ongoing funding gaps are prolonging vulnerability and limiting recovery opportunities. The CERF allocation is intended to help prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Mali.
Without prompt and flexible funding, the needs are likely to escalate throughout the year, despite the substantial efforts by the government and humanitarian partners. M. Diop has called on donors to prioritize Mali on the global stage and ensure consistent humanitarian support.
